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GCF of 48 and 12

The gcf of 48 and 12 is the largest positive integer that divides the numbers 48 and 12 without a remainder. Spelled out, it is the greatest common factor of 48 and 12. Here you can find the result for 48 and 12, along with a total of three methods for computing it.


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This Greatest Common Factor Calculator is Really Cool! Click To TweetYou should check out our calculator. Not only can it determine the outcome of 48 and 12, but also that of three or more integers including forty-eight and twelve for example. Keep reading to learn everything about the gcf (48,12) and the terms related to it.

What is the Greatest Common Factor of 48 and 12?

If you just want to know what is the greatest common factor of 48 and 12, it is 12. Usually, this is written as

gcf(48,12) = 12


The gcf of 48 and 12 can be obtained like this:
  • The factors of 48 are 48, 24, 16, 12, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1.
  • The factors of 12 are 12, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1.
  • The common factors of 48 and 12 are 12, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, intersecting the two sets above.
  • In the intersection factors of 48 ∩ factors of 12 the greatest element is 12.
  • Therefore, the greatest common factor of 48 and 12 is 12.

Taking the above into account you also know how to find all the common factors of 48 and 12, not just the greatest. In the next section we show you how to calculate the gcf of forty-eight and twelve by means of two more methods.

How to find the GCF of 48 and 12

The greatest common factor of 48 and 12 can be computed by using the least common multiple aka lcm of 48 and 12. This is the easiest approach:

gcf (48,12) = = 12



Alternatively, the gcf of 48 and 12 can be found using the prime factorization of 48 and 12:
  • The prime factorization of 48 is: 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3
  • The prime factorization of 12 is: 2 x 2 x 3
  • The prime factors and multiplicities 48 and 12 have in common are: 2 x 2 x 3
  • 2 x 2 x 3 is the gcf of 48 and 12
  • gcf(48,12) = 12

In any case, the easiest way to compute the result for two numbers like 48 and 12 is by using our calculator above. Note that it can also compute the gcf of more than two numbers, separated by a comma. For example, enter 48,12. The calculation is conducted automatically.

Similar searched terms on our site also include:

In the next paragraph we explain how the mathematical concept can be employed.

Keep reading – it’s really interesting.

Use of Greatest Common Factor of 48 and 12

What is the greatest common factor of 48 and 12 used for? Answer: It is helpful for reducing fractions like 48 / 12. Just divide the nominator as well as the denominator by the gcf (48,12) to reduce the fraction to lowest terms.

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Next, we shed a light on the mathematical properties.

Properties of GCF of 48 and 12

The most important properties of the gcf(48,12) are:

  • Commutative property: gcf(48,12) = gcf(12,48)
  • Associative property: gcf(48,12,n) = gcf(gcf(12,48),n)

The associativity is particularly useful to get the gcf of three or more numbers; our calculator makes use of it.

Summary

Note that you can find the greatest common factor of many integer pairs including forty-eight / twelve by using the search form in the sidebar of this page.

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– Article written by Mark, last updated on August 8th, 2023